Dick Sand served on the White Bear Township town board for 34 years, and even had been Town Board chairman, but he was forced to step down in March after pleading guilty to federal bank fraud and money-laundering charges.

Now the Town Board is planning a recognition ceremony for Sand where he’ll be given a plaque, says the White Bear Press.

Town Board Clerk Bill Short said: “Regardless of the circumstances of the departure, some recognition is appropriate. He put in more than 30 years. How can you ignore that?”

None of the criminal charges involved township activities.

No date’s been set yet for the recognition event, and no township funds will be used for the party, although there is money available for the plaque.

“I’m sure [Sand] will be thrilled,” said Short. “It has been the biggest part of his life outside of his family and his [legal] practice.”

Sand will be sentenced this summer and faces a three- to five-year prison sentence, the paper said.